Blank and carton

ABSTRACT

A blank ( 100 ) is disclosed that includes a first wall ( 112 ) and a second wall ( 114 ) at least connected to said first wall via a first panel folding line, wherein said first panel has an article holding means ( 200 ) for holding an article, wherein said article holding means ( 200 ) comprises an article receiving opening ( 202 ) for receiving a portion of said article and a recess supporting tab ( 204 ) provided to protrude toward said article receiving opening ( 202 ), wherein a base end portion of said recess supporting tab ( 204 ) is connected to said first wall via a tab folding line ( 206 ); and wherein a width (W 2 ) of said base end portion of said recess supporting tab ( 204 ) is equal to or less than a maximum width (W 1 ) of said recess supporting tab.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a blank and a carton formed from the blank, and, more particularly, to a blank and a carton which are suitable for packing a plurality of goods and housing these goods into one group.

BACKGROUND

Conventionally, cartons made of cardboard or the like for collectively housing articles such as cans are often used, in order to collectively store, transport, and sell these articles.

Such a carton generally comprises a top wall, a pair of side walls connected to both edges of the top wall, and a bottom wall connected to the pair of side walls, and the carton is formed into a tubular shape such that the articles to be packed can be placed within the carton. In addition, both end portions of the carton are open ends.

One example of the articles to be packed inside the carton is a plurality of cans. For example, six cans are arranged in a 2×3 configuration within a general carton, with the carton enclosing the upper end portions, the peripheral walls, and the lower end portions of the cans.

Such a carton is suitable for saving on blank material. However, since both end portions of the carton are open ends, such a carton must comprise an article holding means for properly holding the articles to be packed inside the carton.

Such an article holding means may be formed by a recess supporting tab or by an article receiving opening and a recess supporting tab which protrudes toward the article receiving opening. These recess supporting tabs are generally formed to have a substantially rectangular shape, and the width of the recess supporting tab is constant as shown in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application, First Publication No. S59-062464 and Japanese Patent No. 4373285. In addition, in order to engage such a recess supporting tab with a recess portion in the upper end portion or the lower end portion of the can, the recess supporting tab is need to push into the recess portion in the upper end portion or the lower end portion of the can, after placing the carton over the can.

Furthermore, since a predetermined space is created between the recess supporting tab and the edge portion of the article receiving opening, the edge portion of the recess supporting tab is spaced apart from the edge portion of the article receiving opening, as shown in Japanese Patent No. 4505061. Thus, when punching the blank to form article receiving openings, it is necessary to remove small pieces formed between the recess supporting tabs and the article receiving opening. Each of such small pieces has a wedge shape that tapers toward the connecting end of the recess supporting tab.

However, in the recess supporting tab having the substantially rectangular shape as in the prior art, the surface area being in contact with the inner circumferential surface of the recess portion in the upper end portion or the lower end portion of the can is small, and the strength against falling out of the carton decreases, and therefore, there was a possibility that each of the cans can fall from the inside of the carton.

In addition, when the blank comprising recess supporting tabs having the substantially rectangular shape as in the prior art is applied to articles such as cans, each of the recess supporting tabs is pushed into each of the recess portions in the upper end portions or the lower end portions of the cans, after the carton is covered on the cans. Therefore it took a long time for making the recess supporting tab be engaged with the recess portions of the upper end portions or the lower end portions of the cans in the packaging process.

Furthermore, in the prior art, the small piece to be removed is formed between the recess supporting tab and the article receiving opening and has a wedge shape which tapers toward the connecting end of the recessed support tab. Therefore, the small piece is likely to be attached to the blank at the punching process, and it was not easy to remove these small pieces from the blank.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems of the prior art. Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a blank which can form a package from the blank, wherein it is difficult to remove the package from cans, and preferably, provide a blank, wherein it is difficult to remove the package from cans, and it can be easy to mount the blank on the cans and to produce the blank.

SUMMARY

According to a first embodiment of the present invention, a blank comprises a first wall, and a second wall at least connected to the first wall via a first panel folding line. The first panel has an article holding means for holding an article, and the article holding means comprises an article receiving opening for receiving a portion of the article, and a recess supporting tab provided to protrude toward the article receiving opening. A base end portion of the recess supporting tab is connected to the first wall via a tab folding line, and a width (W2) of the base end portion of the recess supporting tab is equal to or less than a maximum width (W1) of the recess supporting tab.

According to the above-mentioned blank, it is preferred that a boundary between at least one side portion of the recess supporting tab and an edge portion of the article receiving opening is formed with a slit, and that the slit extends from one end of the tab folding line to a free end of the recess supporting tab.

According to the above-mentioned blank, it is preferred that the width of the recess supporting tab is gradually reduced from a portion having the maximum width toward the base end portion.

According to the above-mentioned blank, it is preferred that the one side portion is abutted to the edge portion of the article receiving opening.

According to the above-mentioned blank, it is preferred that an end portion of the slit on a side adjacent to the one end of the tab folding line extends to a position dividing the tab folding line and the first panel folding line, and that the one side portion of the recess supporting tab forms a foldable ear potion with respect to a residual portion of the recess supporting tab by the slit.

According to the above-mentioned blank, it is preferred that the foldable ear potion is connected to the recess supporting tab via an ear potion folding line.

According to the above-mentioned blank, it is preferred that the end portion of the slit is curved toward the tab folding line.

According to a second embodiment of the present invention, a carton for housing articles with a substantially cylinder shape having a recess portion on at least one end of the article, comprises a first wall, and a second wall at least connected to the first wall via a first panel folding line. The first panel has an article holding means for holding the article, and the article holding means comprises an article receiving opening for receiving a portion of the article, and a recess supporting tab provided to protrude toward the article receiving opening. A base end portion of the recess supporting tab is connected to the first wall via a tab folding line, and a width (W2) of the base end portion of the recess supporting tab is equal to or less than a maximum width (W1) of the recess supporting tab.

According to the above-mentioned carton, it is preferred that a boundary between at least one side portion of the recess supporting tab and an edge portion of the article receiving opening is formed with a slit, and the slit extends from one end of the tab folding line to a free end of the recess supporting tab.

According to the above-mentioned carton, it is preferred that the width of the recess supporting tab is gradually reduced from a portion having the maximum width toward the base end portion.

According to the above-mentioned carton, it is preferred that the one side portion is abutted to the edge portion of the article receiving opening.

According to the above-mentioned carton, it is preferred that an end portion of the slit on a side adjacent to said one end of the tab folding line extends to a position dividing the tab folding line and the first panel folding line, and that the one side portion of the recess supporting tab forms a foldable ear potion with respect to a residual portion of the recess supporting tab by the slit.

According to the above-mentioned carton, it is preferred that the foldable ear potion is connected to the recess supporting tab via an ear potion folding line

According to the above-mentioned carton, it is preferred that the end portion of the slit is curved toward said tab folding line.

Since the base end portion of the recess supporting tab is connected to the first wall via a tab folding line and the width (W2) of the base end portion of the recess supporting tab is equal to or less than the maximum width (W1) of the recess supporting tab, the surface area of the recess supporting tab, which is in contact with the inner circumferential wall of the recessed portion in the upper end portion or the lower end portion of the articles to be packed such as cans, increases, and therefore, the present invention can provide an effect of stably holding the articles inside the carton.

In addition, in the present invention, the base end portion of the recess supporting tab is connected to the first wall via a tab folding line, and the width (W2) of the base end portion of the recess supporting tab is equal to or less than the maximum width (W1) of the recess supporting tab. Thereby, when assembling the carton from the blank having the above-mentioned shape, the first wall or the second wall is temporarily folded outwardly such that each of the recess supporting tabs is located inside the recess portion in the upper end portion or the lower end portion of each can. By folding the first wall or the second wall inwardly thereafter, the present invention can provide an effect, wherein the recess supporting tab can be engaged more quickly with the inner circumferential wall in the upper end portion or the lower end portion during the packaging process of the articles to be packed such as cans, and therefore, the rapid packaging of the articles to be packed can be carried out.

Furthermore, since the base end portion of the recess supporting tab is connected to the first wall via a tab folding line and the width (W2) of the base end portion of the recess supporting tab is equal to or less than the maximum width (W1) of the recess supporting tab, there is no small piece to be removed between the recess supporting tab and the edge portion of the article receiving opening, wherein the small piece may be attached to the blank. Therefore, the present invention can provide an effect, wherein the portion corresponding to the article receiving opening can be easily removed from the blank, when punching the blank to form the article receiving opening.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a plan view showing a blank according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of the article holding means of the blank according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an assembled perspective view in which a blank according to a first embodiment of the present invention is assembled into a carton.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a package formed of a blank according to a first embodiment of the present invention, in which a plurality of cans are arranged inside the carton.

FIG. 5 is a plan view showing a blank according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of the article holding means of the blank according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is an assembled perspective view showing a blank according to a second embodiment of the present invention assembled into a carton.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a package formed of a blank according to a second embodiment of the present invention, in which a plurality of cans are arranged inside the carton.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION First Embodiment

Hereinafter, an embodiment of a blank according to the present invention and a carton formed from the blank will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4. In the following description, in order to clarify directions, the direction of the reference symbol “X” is used as a “first direction”, and the direction of the reference symbol “Y” orthogonal to the first direction X is used as a “second direction”.

FIG. 1 is a plan view showing a blank 100 according to a first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of an article holding means 200 of the blank 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 3 is an assembled perspective view in which the blank 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention is assembled into a carton 300, and FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a package 304 formed from the blank 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention, in which a plurality of cans 170 are arranged inside the carton.

As described in FIG. 1, a blank 100 has a substantially rectangular shape which is long as a whole in the first direction X, and this blank 100 is formed from cardboard or the like. By connecting both end portions of the blank 100 in the first direction X to each other, a carton 300 having a tubular shape as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 can be formed. It should be noted that the blank 100 may also be formed from other materials such as plastic.

As shown in FIG. 1, the blank 100 has a substantially rectangular top wall 110 at a substantially central portion in the first direction X. One side edge of the top wall 110 in the first direction X is connected to a first side wall 112 via a first panel folding line 130, and the other side edge of the top wall 110 is connected to a second side wall 114 via a second panel folding line 132. In the first direction X, the other side edge of the first side wall 112 opposite to the side edge connected to the top wall 110 is connected to a first bottom inclined portion 116 via a third panel folding line 134. In addition, the other side edge of the second side wall 114 opposite to the side edge connected to the top wall 110 is connected to a second bottom inclined portion 118 via a fourth panel folding line 136. Furthermore, the other side edge of the first bottom inclined portion 116 opposite to the side edge connected to the first side wall 112 is connected to a first bottom wall 120 via a fifth panel folding line 138, and the other side edge of the second bottom inclined portion 118 opposite to the side edge connected to the second side wall 114 is connected to a second bottom wall 122 via a sixth panel folding line 140. A bottom wall 302 of the carton 300 is therefore formed by joining the first bottom wall 120 and the second bottom wall 122 to each other.

A substantially central portion of the top wall 110 is provided with a pair of first folding portions 152 for constituting an opening for carrying the carton, wherein one portion of the first folding portion 152 is connected to the top wall 110 via a first folding line 154, and second folding portions 158, wherein each of the second folding portions 158 is connected to each of the first folding portions 152 via a folding line. By inserting the user's finger into the opening for carrying the carton while folding these first folding portions 152 and second folding portions 158 inside the carton 300, a plurality of cans 170 housed inside the carton 300 can be transported easily. In addition, the top wall 110 is provided with a pair of break lines 156, which extend from one end edge to another end edge in the second direction Y, and the first folding portions 152 and the second folding portions 158 are provided between the pair of break lines 156. Thereby, by grasping one end edge between a pair of break lines 156 and pulling the one end edge toward another end edge, the user can break the top wall 110 and open the package 304 easily to take out the plurality of cans 170. In the present embodiment, a dimension of the top wall 100 in the second direction Y corresponds to a dimension that can cover the upper end portions 172 of three cans 170 when three cans 170 are arranged in parallel. A dimension of the top wall 100 in the first direction X corresponds to a dimension that can cover the upper end portions 172 of two cans 170 when two cans 170 are arranged in parallel. The can 170 has a substantially cylindrical shape and comprises a circular upper end portion 172, a circular lower end portion 174, and a peripheral wall 176 extending between the upper end portion 172 and the lower end portion 174. The upper end portion 172 is provided with a recess portion 178, which is substantially flat and depressed toward the inside of the can 170. The lower end portion 174 is provided with a recess portion 180, which has a domed shape and is depressed toward the inside of the can 170. The can 170 may be a beverage can or a can for other purposes, for example, a gas bottle can.

The dimensions of the first side wall 112 and the second side wall 114 in the first direction X are substantially the same as the height of each can 170. In addition, the dimensions of the first side wall 112 and the second side wall 114 in the second direction Y are substantially the same as the dimension of the top wall 110 in the second direction Y. Furthermore, a plurality of first slits 190 is formed on the third panel folding line 134 between the first side wall 112 and the first bottom inclined portion 116, and the fourth panel folding line 136 between the second side wall 114 and the second bottom inclined portion 118, and the plurality of first slits 190 extend in a direction (the first direction X) perpendicular to the second direction Y, that is, in a direction perpendicular to the third panel folding line 134 and the fourth panel folding line 136.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the first bottom inclined portion 116 is provided with three article holding means 200. These article holding means 200 extend from the first bottom wall 120 toward the first side wall 112 and are arranged at regular intervals in the second direction “Y”. In addition, the second bottom inclined portion 118 is provided with three article holding means 200. These article holding means 200 extend from the second bottom wall 122 toward the second side wall 114 and are arranged at regular intervals in the second direction “Y”. Each of these article holding means 200 comprises an article receiving opening 202 with a substantially rectangular shape for receiving a portion of the lower end portion 174 of the can 170 and a recess supporting tab 204 formed to protrude toward the article receiving opening 202.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the article receiving opening 202 extends from the first bottom inclined portion 116 toward the first side wall 112 or from the second bottom inclined portion 118 toward the second side wall 114. The width of the article receiving opening 202 is formed to gradually increase in the first direction X, that is, from the first bottom inclined portion 116 toward the first side wall 112 or from the second bottom inclined portion 118 toward the second side wall 114. In addition, the edge portion of the article receiving opening 202 on a side of the first side wall 112 or the second side wall 114 is curved in an arc shape so as to bulge toward the first side wall 112 or the second side wall 114.

The recess supporting tab 204 is connected to the first bottom wall 120 or the second bottom wall 122 via a tab folding line 206. The tab folding line 206 begins to extend from the fifth panel folding line 138 or the sixth panel folding line 140, and terminates on the fifth panel folding line 138 or the sixth panel folding line 140. Such a tab folding line 206 is formed in an arc shape so as to bulge toward the opposite side to the article receiving opening 202. In addition, a free end of the recess supporting tab 204 on the side of the article receiving opening 202 is parallel to the second direction Y, and linearly formed.

The boundary between both side portions (or one side portion) of the recess supporting tab 204 and the edge portion of the article receiving opening 202 adjacent thereto is formed by a second slit 208. However, there is no substantial gap between both side portions (or one side portion) of the recess supporting tab 204 and the edge portion of the article receiving opening 202, and both side portions (or one side portion) of the recess supporting tab 204 and the edge portion of the article receiving opening 202 are arranged to abut to each other. The second slit 208 extends from one end of the tab folding line 206 toward the free end of the recess supporting tab 204. Further, the width of the recess supporting tab 204 formed from a portion of the first bottom inclined portion 116 is formed to gradually increase in the direction from the first bottom wall 120 toward the first side wall 112 along the first direction X. In addition, the width of the recess supporting tab 204 formed from a portion of the second bottom inclined portion 118 is formed to gradually increase from the second bottom wall 122 toward the second side wall 114 along the first direction X. That is, the base end portion of the recess supporting tab 204 connected to the first bottom wall 120 or the second bottom wall 122 has a width W2, and the free end of the recess supporting tab 204 on the side of the article receiving opening 202 has a maximum width W1. Therefore, the width W2 of the base end portion of the recess supporting tab 204 is equal to or less than the maximum width W1 of the recess supporting tab 204, and the recess supporting tab 204 is formed such that the width of the recess supporting tab 204 is gradually reduced from a portion having the maximum width W1 toward the base end portion of the recess supporting tab 204.

The end portion 210 of the second slits 208 on the side adjacent to the first bottom wall 120 or the second bottom wall 122 curves toward the tab folding line 206, and extends to a position for dividing the fifth panel folding line 138 or the sixth panel folding line 140 and the tab folding line 206. By the second slits 208 having such end portion 210, both side portions (or one side portion) of the recess supporting tab 204 are freely movable from the constraint of the first or second bottom inclined portion 116, 118 and the first or second bottom wall 120, 122. Thereby, both side portions of the recess supporting tab 204 form foldable ear portions 212 with respect to a residual portion of the recess support tab 204. These ear portions 212 extend outwardly in the second direction Y from both sides of the recess supporting tab 204 such that when assembling the carton 300 from the blank 100, these ear portions 212 abut to the inner peripheral surface of the recess portion 180 in the lower end portion 174 of the can 170 with the residual portion of the recess supporting tab 204. The reference number 214 in FIG. 2 indicates ear portion folding lines. The ear portion folding lines 214 foldably connect each of the ear portions 212 to the recess supporting tab 204, and may be formed by, for example, a slit or the like.

The ear portion folding lines 214 extend in a direction (that is, the first direction X) which is substantially perpendicular to the fifth panel folding line 138 or the sixth panel folding line 140. One end portion of the ear portion folding line 214 is provided adjacent to the end portion 210 of the second slit 208.

In addition, the recess supporting tab 204 also comprises a pair of folding lines 216. The folding lines 216 are formed on both tip corner portions of the recess supporting tab 204 to fold each of the tip corner portions of the recess supporting tab 204 into a substantially triangular shape such that the substantially triangular shape can be fitted into a shape of the inner peripheral surface of the recess portion 180 in the lower end portion 174 of the can 170. The folding lines 216 may be formed by, for example, a slit or the like.

Referring to FIG. 1, the second bottom wall 122 is provided with four connecting tabs 230 with a “mushroom” shape, and these connecting tabs 230 are arranged at regular intervals in the second direction Y. Each of the connecting tabs 230 is formed by a cutting line 232, and the connecting portion of the connecting tab 230 on the side of the second bottom inclined portion 118 is connected to the second bottom wall 122 via the second folding line 234.

In addition, the first bottom wall 120 is provided with four tab fitting openings 236 arranged at regular intervals in the second direction Y. The tab fitting opening 236 has a substantially rectangular shape, and is formed by a substantially “U” shaped cutting line. Each of the tab fitting openings 236 is provided at a position corresponding to each of the connecting tabs 230.

When assembling the carton 300 from the blank 100, the first bottom wall 120 can be connected to the second bottom wall 122 by mating each of the connecting tabs 230 with each of the tab fitting opening 236 to form the bottom wall 302 of the carton 300. It should be noted that the connecting means between the first bottom wall 120 and the second bottom wall 122 is not limited to the present embodiment and the end edge of the first bottom wall 120 and the second bottom wall 122 may be bonded to each other by an adhesive material or the like.

Furthermore, concave portions 240 are provided in both end portions of the top wall 110, the first side wall 112, the second side wall 114, the first bottom wall 120, and the second bottom wall 122 extending along the first direction X, respectively. Thereby, protrusions 242 positioned between the concave portions 240 are formed along both end portions of the blank 100 extending in the first direction X, respectively.

The protrusion 242 formed between the top wall 110 and the first side wall 112 or the second side wall 114 constitutes an article covering means 244 for holding a plurality of cans 170 inside the carton 300. Each of the article covering means 244 comprises: a folding piece 248 connected to the first side wall 112 or the second side wall 114 via a third folding line 246 having a plurality of slits; a web piece 252 connected to the folded piece 248 via a fourth folding line 250 having a slit protruding toward the web piece 252; a covering piece 256 connected to the web piece 252 via a fifth folding line 254 positioned on the same straight-line as the first panel folding line 130 or the second panel folding line 132, wherein the covering piece 256 is connected to the top wall 110 via a sixth folding line 258; and an opening 260 with a substantially diamond shape for receiving one portion of the upper end portion 172 of the can 170.

When the blank 100 is assembled into the carton, the fourth folding line 250 is valley folded (folded outwardly), and the third folding line 246, the fifth folding line 254, and the sixth folding line 258 are mountain folded (folded inwardly) such that the article covering means 244 can be sterically abutted to the upper portions 172 and the upper portions of the peripheral walls 176 of the cans 170 housed inside the carton 300. Thereby, each of the cans 170 can be stably held inside the carton 300.

Next, a procedure for assembling the carton 300 from the blank 100 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 will be described.

Firstly, each can 170 is aligned in 2 rows by 3 lines on the top wall 110 of the blank 100. Next, the fourth folding line 250 of the blank 100 is valley folded (folded outwardly), and the third folding line 246, the fifth folding line 254, and the sixth folding line 258 are mountain folded (folded inwardly). Thereby, the inner surfaces of each covering piece 256 and each web piece 252 are arranged to sterically fit into the upper end portion 172 and the upper portion of the peripheral wall 176 of the each can 170. In addition, the first panel folding line 130 and the second panel folding line 132 of the blank 100 are mountain folded (folded inwardly), and therefore, the inner surface of each folding piece 248 is abutted to the inner surface of the first side wall 112 or the second side wall 114 while the inner surfaces of the first side wall 112 and the second side wall 114 are arranged to fit into the peripheral wall 176 of each can 170.

Next, the third panel folding line 134 and the fourth panel folding line 136 are mountain folded (folded inwardly) such that the first bottom inclined portion 116 and the second bottom inclined portion 118 are arranged to fit into an inclination portion in the lower end portion 174 of each can 170.

Thereafter, the fifth panel folding line 138 and the sixth panel folding line 140 are temporarily valley folded (folded outwardly) so as to open the first bottom wall 120 and the second bottom wall 122 outward, such that each of the recess supporting tabs 204 is caused to protrude from the blank 100. Each of the protruding recess supporting tabs 204 is positioned inside the edge portion of the recess portion 180 in the lower end portion 174 of each can 170. As shown in FIG. 3, thereafter, in order to join the first bottom wall 120 and the second bottom wall 122 to each other, the fifth panel folding line 138 and the sixth panel folding line 140 are mountain folded (folded inwardly), and the each of the recess supporting tabs 204 is engaged with the inner peripheral surface of the recess portion 180 in the lower end portion 174 of each can 170.

Then, the first bottom wall 120 is overlapped with the second bottom wall 122, and each of the connecting tabs 230 is mated with each of the tab fitting openings 236 such that the first bottom wall 120 is connected to the second bottom wall 122. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 4, the first bottom wall 120 and the second bottom wall 122 forms the bottom wall 302 of the carton 300 to cover the lower end portion 174 of each can 170.

Next, the operation and effects of the present embodiment will be described.

According to the present embodiment, the width of the recess supporting tab 204 of the article holding means 200 formed from a portion of the first bottom inclined portion 116 is formed to gradually increase in a direction along the first direction X from the first bottom wall 120 to the first side wall 112. In addition, the width of the recess supporting tab 204 of the article holding means 200 formed from a portion of the second bottom inclined portion 118 is formed to gradually increase in a direction along the first direction X from the second bottom wall 122 to the second side wall 114. That is, the base end portion of the recess supporting tab 204 connected to the first bottom wall 120 or the second bottom wall 122 has a width W2, and the free end of the recess supporting tab 204 on a side of the article receiving opening 202 has a maximum width W1. Therefore, the width W2 of the base end portion of the recess supporting tab 204 is equal to or less than the maximum width W1 of the recess supporting tab 204, and the recess supporting tab 204 is formed such that the width of the recess supporting tab 204 is gradually reduced from a portion having the maximum width W1 toward the base end portion of the recess supporting tab 204. In addition, the end portions 210 of the second slits 208 on the side adjacent to the first bottom wall 120 or the second bottom wall 122 curve toward the tab folding line 206 and extend to a position for dividing the fifth panel folding line 138 or the sixth panel folding line 140 and the tab folding line 206. By the second slits 208 having such end portions 210, both side portions of the recess supporting tab 204 are freely movable from the constraint of the first or second bottom inclined portion 116, 118 and the first or second bottom wall 120, 122. Thereby, the recess supporting tab 204 comprises foldable ear portions 212 relative to the residual portion of the recess supporting tab 204, wherein the foldable ear portions 212 extend outwardly in the second direction Y and the foldable ear portions 212 abut to the inner peripheral surface of the recess portion 180 in the lower end portion 174 of the can 170 when assembling the carton 300 from the blank 100. Therefore, the surface area of the recess supporting tabs 204, which is abutted to (is in contact with) the inner circumferential wall of the recess portion 180 in the lower end portion 174 of the articles to be packed such as the cans 170, is increased, the strength against falling out of the carton 300 is increased, and therefore, the articles to be packed such as the cans 170 can be stably held inside the carton 300.

Furthermore, according to the present embodiment, by the second slits 208 having the end portions 210 curved toward the tab folding line 206, both side portions of the recess supporting tab 204 are freely movable from the constraint of the first or second bottom inclined portion 116, 118 and the first or second bottom wall 120, 122, and both side portions of the recess supporting tab 204 form foldable ear portions 212 relative to the residual portion of the recess supporting tab 204. The ear portions 212 extend outwardly in the second direction from both sides of the recess supporting tab 204 and abut to the inner circumferential surface of the recess portion 180 in the lower end portion 174 of the can 170 with the residual portion of the recess supporting tab 204 when assembling the carton 300. Therefore, when assembling the carton 300, the first bottom wall 120 and the second bottom wall 122 are temporarily folded outwardly to protrude the recess supporting tabs 204 from the blank 100. Each of the recess supporting tabs 204 is positioned inside the recess portion 180 in the lower end portion 174 of each can 170, and then the first bottom wall 120 and the second bottom wall 122 are folded inwardly such that each of the recess supporting tabs 204 can be engaged with the inner peripheral surface of the recess portion 180 in the lower end portion 174 of each can 170. Thereby, it is possible for the recess supporting tabs 204 to be more quickly engaged with the inner circumferential wall of the recess portion 180 in the lower end portion 174 of the articles to be packed, such as the cans 170, during the packaging process of the articles to be packed, and the rapid packaging of the articles to be packed can be carried out.

Furthermore, according to the present embodiment, the boundary between both side portions (or one side portion) of the recess supporting tab 204 and the edge portion of the article receiving opening 202 is formed by the second slit 208. However, there is no substantial gap between both side portions (or one side portion) of the recess supporting tab 204 and the edge portion of the article receiving opening 202, and both side portions (or one side portion) of the recess supporting tab 204 and the article receiving opening 202 are arranged so as to abut to each other. Therefore, when forming the article receiving opening 202 in the blank 100 by the punching process, there are no small pieces to be removed between both side portions of the recess supporting tab 204 and the edge of the article receiving opening 202, and the portion corresponding to the article receiving opening 202 can be easily removed from the blank 100.

Second Embodiment

Hereinafter, the blank 500 according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. It should be noted that the descriptions of features similar to those of the above-described first embodiment of the present invention are appropriately omitted.

FIG. 5 is a plan view showing the blank 500 according to the second embodiment, FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of the article holding means 600 of the blank 500 according to the second embodiment, FIG. 6 is an assembled perspective view in which the blank 500 according to the second embodiment is assembled into a carton 700, and FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a package 704 formed of a blank 500 according to the second embodiment, in which a plurality of cans 170 are arranged within the package.

As shown in FIG. 5, the blank 500 has a substantially rectangular bottom wall 526 in a substantially central portion in the first direction X. In the first direction X, one side edge of the bottom wall 526 is connected to a first bottom inclined portion 522 via a fifth panel folding line 538, the other side edge of the bottom wall 526 is connected to a second bottom inclined portion 524 via a sixth panel folding line 540. The other side edge of the first bottom inclined portion 522 opposite to the side edge connected to the bottom wall 526 is connected to the first side wall 518 via a third panel folding line 534. The other side edge of the second bottom inclined portion 524 opposite to the side edge connected to the bottom wall 526 is connected to a second side wall 520 via a fourth panel folding line 536. The other side edge of the first side wall 518 opposite to the side edge connected to the first bottom inclined portion 522 is connected to a first upper inclined portion 514 via a seventh panel folding line 542, and the other side edge of the second side wall 520 opposite to the side edge connected to the second bottom inclined portion 524 is connected to the second upper inclined portion 516 via an eighth panel folding line 544. The other side edge of the first upper inclined portion 514 opposite to the side edge connected to the first side wall 518 is connected to a first top wall 510 via the first panel folding line 530, and the other side edge of the second upper inclined portion 516 opposite to the side edge connected to the second side wall 520 is connected to a second top wall 512 via a second panel folding line 532. The top wall 702 of the carton 700 is therefore formed by joining the first top wall 510 and the second top wall 512 to each other.

A dimension of the first top wall 510 in the first direction X is shorter than the dimension of the second top wall 512 in the first direction X, and therefore, when assembling the carton 700, the second top wall 512 is coupled with the first top wall 510 such that the second top wall 512 is located outside the first top wall 510.

A pair of openings 558 for constituting a carrying opening 550 is formed in the first top wall 510.

On the other hand, a pair of folding portions 552 for constituting the carrying opening 550 are formed in the substantially center of the second top wall 512 in the first direction X. One portion of the folding portions 552 is connected to the second top wall 512 via a first folding line 554, and the other portion of the folding portions 552 is cut off from the second top wall 512 by a substantially “U” shaped cutting line 556. The shape of the folding portion 552 is substantially the same as the shape of the opening portion 558.

When joining the first top wall 510 with the second top wall 512 to constitute the top wall 702 of the carton 700, the opening 558 in the first top wall 510 is aligned with the folding portion 552 in the second top wall 512. Then, the folding portion 552 is folded about the first folding line 554 so as to extend into the inside of the carton 700 through the opening 558 to form the conveying opening 550.

Instead of the tab fitting opening 236 of the first bottom wall 120 and the connecting tab 230 of the second bottom wall 122 in the first embodiment, in the second embodiment, the other side edge of the second top wall 512 opposite to the side edge connected to the second upper inclined portion 516 is provided with two connecting tabs 630 located at regular intervals in the second direction Y. Each of these connecting tabs 630 have a substantially “mushroom” shape. Further, the connecting tabs 630 protrude outwardly in the first direction X, and is connected to the second top wall 512 via the second folding line 634. The connecting portion of the connecting tabs 630 to the second top wall 512 is provided with a pair of fifth slits 632 extending in the first direction X.

In addition, two tab fitting openings 636 are provided near the first upper inclined portion 514 in the first top wall 510 and are located at regular intervals in the second direction Y. Each of the tab fitting openings 636 has a substantially rectangular shape and is formed by a cutting line 638 having a substantially “U” shape. The sixth slit 640 extends obliquely outward in the second direction from each corner portion of the tab fitting opening 636 toward the first upper inclined portion 514 or the second upper inclined portion 516. Each of the tab fitting openings 636 is provided at a position corresponding to each of the connecting tabs 630.

When assembling the carton 700 from the blank 500, the second top wall 512 is connected to the first top wall 510 by mating each of the connecting tabs 630 with each of the tab fitting openings 636, such that the top wall 702 of the carton 700 can be formed. It should be noted that the connecting means between the first top wall 510 and the second top wall 512 is not limited to this embodiment and the end edge of the first top wall 510 and the second top wall 512 may be bonded to each other by an adhesive material or the like.

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, instead of the article holding means 200 in the first bottom inclined portion 116 and the second bottom inclined portion 118 according to the first embodiment, the first upper inclined portion 514 according to the second embodiment comprises three article holding means 600 extending from the first top wall 510 to the first side wall 518. In addition, the second upper inclined portion 516 according to the second embodiment comprises three article holding means 600 extending from the second top wall 512 to the second side wall 520. Each of these article holding means 600 comprises an article receiving opening 602 with a substantially triangular shape for receiving the upper end portion 172 of each can 170, and a recess supporting tab 604 formed to protrude toward the article receiving opening 602.

As shown in FIG. 6, the article receiving opening 602 extends from the first upper inclined portion 514 toward the first side wall 518 or from the second upper inclined portion 516 toward the second side wall 520. The width of the article receiving opening 602 is formed to gradually decrease in the first direction X from the first upper inclined portion 514 to the first side wall 518 or from the second upper inclined portion 516 to the second side wall 520.

The recess supporting tabs 604 are connected to the first top wall 510 or the second top wall 512 via tab folding lines 606. These tab fold lines 606 begin to extend from the first panel folding line 530 or the second panel folding line 532 and terminate on the first panel folding line 530 or the second panel folding line 532. Each of the tab folding lines 606 is formed in an arc shape so as to bulge toward the opposite side to the article receiving opening 602.

In addition, the width of the recess supporting tab 604 formed from a portion of the first upper inclined portion 514 is formed to gradually increase in a direction along the first direction X from the first top wall 510 to the first side wall 518, and the width of the recess supporting tab 604 gradually decreases toward the free end of the recess supporting tab 604 on a side of the article receiving opening 602 after obtaining the maximum width W1. Furthermore, the width of the recess supporting tab 604 formed from a portion of the second upper inclined portion 516 is formed to gradually increase in a direction along the first direction X from the second top wall 512 to the second side wall 520, and the width of the recess supporting tab 604 gradually decreases toward the free end of the recess supporting tab 604 on a side of the article receiving opening 602 after obtaining the maximum width W1. That is, the base end portion of the recess supporting tab 604 connected to the first top wall 510 or the second top wall 512 has a width W2, and the recess supporting tab 604 has the maximum width W1 between the base end portion thereof and the free end on a side of the article receiving opening 602. Therefore, the width W2 of the base end portion of the recess supporting tab 604 is equal to or less than the maximum width W1 of the recess supporting tab 604, and the width W2 of the base end portion of the recess supporting tab 604 is equal to or less than a width in the free end of the recess supporting tab 604 on the side of the article receiving opening 602. Furthermore, the recess supporting tab 604 is formed such that the width of the recess supporting tab 604 gradually decreases from a portion having the maximum width W1 toward the base end portion of the recess supporting tab 204. The boundary between both side portions (or one side portion) of the recess supporting tab 604 and the edge portion of the article receiving opening 602 adjacent thereto is formed by a second slit 608. There is no substantial gap between both side portions of the recess supporting tab 604 and the edge portion of the article receiving opening 602 and therefore, both side portions of the recess supporting tab 604 and the edge portion of the article receiving opening 602 are arranged to abut to each other. The second slit 608 extends from one end of the tab folding line 606 toward a free end of the recess supporting tab 604.

The end portion 610 of the second slit 608 on the side adjacent to the first top wall 510 or the second top wall 512 is curved toward the tab folding line 606 to extend to a position dividing the first panel folding line 530 or the second panel folding line 532 and the tab folding line 606. By the second slit 608 having such an end portion 610, both side portions (or one side portion) of the recess supporting tab 604 are freely movable from the constraint of the first or second upper inclined portion 514, 516 and the first or second side wall 510, 512. Thereby, both side portions of the recess supporting tab 604 form foldable ear portions 612 relative to the residual portion of the recess supporting tab 604. These ear portions 612 extend outwardly in the second direction from both side portions of the recess supporting tab 604 and the ear portions 612 abut to the inner peripheral surface of the recess portion 178 in the upper end portion 172 of the can 170 with the residual portion of the recess supporting tab 604 when assembling the carton from the blank 100.

In addition, a pair of ear portion folding lines 614 foldably connect the ear portions 612 to the residual portion of the recess supporting tab 604. The ear portion folding line 614 extends in a direction (that is, in the first direction X) substantially perpendicular to the first panel folding line 530 or the second panel folding line 532. One end portion of the ear portion folding line 614 is provided adjacent to the end portion 610 of the second slit 608. The ear portion folding line 614 may be formed by a slit or the like.

Further, in the second embodiment, the first bottom inclined portion 522 is provided with three second article holding means 670, which extend from the first side wall 518 to the bottom wall 526 and are arranged at regular intervals in the second direction “Y”. The second bottom inclined portion 524 is provided with three second article holding means 670, which extend from the second side wall 520 to the bottom wall 526 and are arranged at regular intervals in the second direction “Y”.

Each of the second article holding means 670 comprises a second article receiving opening 672 with a substantially rectangular shape for receiving the lower end portion 174 of each can 170, and a holding tab 674 which protrudes toward the second article receiving opening 672.

The edge of the second article receiving opening 672 on a side of the bottom wall 526 is an edge 676 with an arc shape protruding toward the second article receiving opening 672, and this edge 676 begins to extend from the fifth panel folding line 538 or the sixth panel folding line 540 and terminates on the fifth panel folding line 538 or the sixth panel folding line 540. The edge 676 is engaged with the inner peripheral surface of the recess portion 180 in the lower end portion 174 of the can 170.

Both edges of the second article receiving opening 672 extending from the bottom wall 526 toward the first side wall 518 or the second side wall 520 in the first direction X have a substantially “V” shape which is formed symmetrically in the first direction X. The distance between both edges of the second article receiving opening 672 extending in the first direction X is maximized on the third panel folding line 534 or the fourth panel folding line 536.

A holding tab 674 having a substantially “C” shape is provided at the edge of the second article receiving opening 672 on the side of the first side wall 518 or the side of the second side wall 520, and the edge portion of the holding tab 674 on a side of the second article receiving opening 672 is formed parallel to the second direction Y. A connecting portion of the holding tab 674 with respect to the first side wall 518 or the second side wall 520 is provided with a seventh slit 678 inclined outwardly in the second direction.

Instead of the pair of break lines 156 of the top wall 110 according to the first embodiment, the first side wall 518 according to the second embodiment is provided with a pair of break lines 560 for easily opening the package 704, wherein the break lines 560 extends parallel to each other from one end edge to another end edge in the second direction Y. The pair of break lines 560 may be provided on the second side wall.

In addition, instead of the concave portions 240 in both end portions of the top wall 110, the first side wall 112, the second side wall 114, the first bottom wall 120, and the second bottom wall 122 and the protrusions 242 between the concave portions 240 according to the first embodiment, in the second embodiment, both end portions of the first top wall 510, the second top wall 512, the first upper inclined portion 514, the second upper inclined portion 516, the first side wall 518, the second side wall 520, the first bottom inclined portion 522, the second bottom inclined portion 524, and the bottom wall 526 in the first direction X, are linearly formed.

Next, a procedure for assembling the carton 700 from the blank 500 shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 will be described.

Firstly, each can 170 is aligned in 2 rows by 3 lines on the bottom wall 526 of the blank 500. In this arrangement state, by mountain folding (folding inwardly) the fifth panel folding line 538 and the sixth panel folding line 540 of the blank 500, a portion of the lower end portion 174 of each can 170 is received within each of the second article holding means 670, and the edge of the second article receiving opening 672 on a side of the bottom wall 526 is engaged with the inner peripheral surface of the recess portion 180 in the lower end portion 174 of each can 170.

Next, the third panel folding line 534 and the fourth panel folding line 536 of the blank 500 are mountain folded (folded inwardly) such that the inner surfaces of the first side wall 518 and the second side wall 520 are arranged to fit into the peripheral wall 176 of each can 170.

Thereafter, the seventh panel folding line 542 and the eighth panel folding line 544 of the blank 500 are mountain folded (folded inwardly) such that the inner walls of the first upper inclined portion 514 and the second upper inclined portion 516 are arranged to fit into the inclined portion of the upper end portion 172 of each can 170.

Next, the first panel folding line 530 and the second panel folding line 532 are temporarily valley folded (folded outwardly) so as to open the first top wall 510 and the second top wall 512 outward, such that the recess supporting tab 604 of the article holding means 600 is caused to protrude from the blank 500. Each of the protruded recess supporting tabs 604 is positioned inside the edge portion of the recess portion 178 in the upper end portion 172 of each can 170. Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 7, in order to join the first top wall 510 and the second top wall 512 to each other, the first panel folding line 530 and the second panel folding line 532 are mountain folded (folded inwardly), and each of recess supporting tabs 604 is engaged with the inner peripheral surface of the recess portion 178 in the upper end portion 172 of each can 170.

The second top wall 512 is overlapped with the first top wall 510 so as to align the folding portion 552 of the second top wall 512 with the opening portion 558 of the first top wall 510. By mating each of the connecting tabs 630 with each of the tab fitting openings 636 to connect the first top wall 510 and the second top wall 512 to each other, the top wall 702 of the carton 700 covers the upper end portion 172 of each can 170, as shown in FIG. 8.

Next, the operation and effects of the present embodiment will be described. According to the present embodiment, the width of the recess supporting tab 604 of the article holding means 600 formed from a portion of the first upper inclined portion 514 is formed to gradually increase in a direction along the first direction X from the first top wall 510 toward the first side wall 518, and the width of the recess supporting tab 604 gradually decreases toward the free end of the recess supporting tab 604 on a side of the article receiving opening 602 after obtaining the maximum width W1. In addition, the width of the recess supporting tab 604 of the article holding means 600 formed from a portion of the second upper inclined portion 516 is formed to gradually increase in a direction along the first direction X from the second top wall 512 toward the second side wall 520, and the width of the recess supporting tab 604 gradually decreases toward the free end of the recess supporting tab 604 on a side of the article receiving opening 602 after obtaining the maximum width W1. That is, the base end portion of the recess supporting tab 604 connected to the first top wall 510 or the second top wall 512 has a width W2, and the recess supporting tab 604 has the maximum width W1 between the base end portion thereof and the free end on a side of the article receiving opening 602. Therefore, the width W2 of the base end portion of the recess supporting tab 604 is equal to or less than the maximum width W1 of the recess supporting tab 604, and the width W2 of the base end portion of the recess supporting tab 604 is equal to or less than a width in the free end of the recess supporting tab 604 on the side of the article receiving opening 602. Furthermore, the recess supporting tab 604 is formed such that the width of the recess supporting tab 604 gradually decreases from a portion having the maximum width W1 toward the base end portion of the recess supporting tab 204. The end portion 610 of the second slit 608 on the side adjacent to the first top wall 510 or the second top wall 512 is curved toward the tab folding line 606 to extend to a position dividing the first panel folding line 530 or the second panel folding line 532. By the second slit 608 having such an end portion 610, both side portions (or one side portion) of the recess supporting tab 604 are freely movable from the constraint of the first or second upper inclined portion 514, 516 and the first or second side wall 510, 512. Thereby, the recess supporting tab 604 comprises foldable ear portions 612 relative to the residual portion of the recess supporting tab 604, wherein the ear portions 612 extend outwardly in the second direction and abut to the inner peripheral surface of the recess portion 178 in the upper end portion 172 of the can 170 when assembling the carton 700 from the blank 500. Therefore, the surface area of the recess supporting tabs 604, which are abutted to (are in contact with) the inner peripheral wall of the recess portion 178 in the upper end portion 172 of the articles to be packed such as cans 170, is increased, the strength against falling out of the carton 700 is enhanced, and the articles to be packed such as cans 170 can be stably held inside the carton 700.

In addition, according to the present embodiment, by the second slit 608 having the end portion 610 curved toward the tab folding line 606, both side portions (or one side portion) of the recess supporting tab 604 are freely movable from the constraint of the first or second upper inclined portion 514, 516 and the first or second side wall 510, 512. Thereby, both side portions of the recess supporting tab 604 form foldable ear portions 612 relative to the residual portion of the recess supporting tab 604. Furthermore, these ear portions 612 extend outwardly in the second direction from both side portions of the recess supporting tab 604 and the ear portions 612 abut to the inner peripheral surface of the recess portion 178 in the upper end portion 172 of the can 170 with the residual portion of the recess supporting tab 604 when assembling the carton 700 from the blank 500. Therefore, the first top wall 510 and the second top wall 512 are temporarily folded outwardly to protrude the recess supporting tabs 604 from the blank 500. Each of the protruded recess supporting tabs 604 is positioned inside the edge portion of the recess portion 178 in the upper end portion 172 of each can 170. Thereafter, the first top wall 510 and the second top wall 512 are folded inwardly such that the each of recess supporting tabs 604 is engaged with the inner peripheral surface of the recess portion 178 in the upper end portion 172 of each can 170. Thereby, it is possible for the recess supporting tabs 608 to be more quickly engaged with the inner circumferential wall of the recess portion 178 in the upper end portion 172 of the articles to be packed, such as the cans 170, during the packaging process of the articles to be packed such as the can 170, and the rapid packaging of the articles to be packed can be carried out.

Further, according to the present embodiment, the boundary between both side portions (or one side portion) of the recess supporting tab 604 and the edge portion of the article receiving opening portion 602 is formed by the second slit 608. However, there is no substantial gap between both side portions (or one side portion) of the recess supporting tab 604 and the edge portion of the article receiving opening 602, and both side portions (or one side portion) of the recess supporting tab 604 and the article receiving opening 602 are arranged so as to abut to each other. Therefore, when forming the article receiving opening 602 in the blank 100 by the punching process, there are no small pieces to be removed between both side portions of the recess supporting tab 604 and the edge of the article receiving opening 602, and the portion corresponding to the article receiving opening 602 can be easily removed from the blank 500.

The embodiments of the blank according to the present invention has been described above. However, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and can be appropriately changed without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, the above-described embodiments explain the blanks for producing cartons 700 which packages a plurality of cans 170 aligned in 2 rows by 3 lines. However, for example, the present invention can be a blank for producing cartons 700 which packages a plurality of cans 170 aligned in 1 row by 3 lines or 2 rows by 2 lines.

In addition, the above-described embodiments explain that the blanks are made of cardboard. However, the present invention may be a blank made of a material other than cardboard, and as long as the material has the same degree of flexibility as cardboard, the material can be appropriately changed.

Furthermore, the above-described embodiments explain that the blank includes the bottom inclined portions or the blank with the bottom inclined portions and the upper inclined portions. However, the blank of the present invention may have a configuration which does not comprise any inclined portions. In such a configuration, the top wall is directly connected to the side wall, and the bottom wall is directly connected to the side wall. Therefore, the article holding means may be provided across the first side wall and the first bottom wall or across the second side wall and the second bottom wall, or, across the first side wall and the top wall or across the second side wall and the top wall. The second article holding means may be provided across the first side wall and the bottom wall or across the second side wall and the bottom wall.

Besides, within the scope not deviating from the present invention, it is possible to appropriately replace the constituent elements in the above-mentioned embodiments with well-known constituent elements, and the above-described modified examples may be appropriately combined.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE REFERENCE SYMBOLS

-   100 a blank -   110 a top wall -   112 a first side wall -   114 a second side wall -   116 a first bottom inclined portion -   118 a second bottom inclined portion -   120 a first bottom wall -   122 a second bottom wall -   130 a first panel folding line -   132 a second panel folding line -   134 a third panel folding line -   136 a fourth panel folding line -   138 a fifth panel folding line -   140 a sixth panel folding line -   152 a first folding portion -   154 a first folding line -   156 a pair of break lines -   158 a second folding portion -   170 a can -   172 an upper end portion -   174 a lower end potion -   176 a peripheral wall -   178 a recess portion -   180 a recess portion -   190 a first slit -   200 an article holding means -   202 an article receiving opening -   204 a recess supporting tab -   206 tab folding line -   208 a second slit -   210 an end portion of the second slit 208 -   212 an ear portion -   214 an ear portion folding line or slit -   216 a folding line -   230 a connecting tab -   232 a cutting line -   234 a second folding line -   236 a tab fitting opening -   240 a concave portion -   242 a protrusion -   244 an article covering means -   246 a third folding line -   248 a folding piece -   250 a fourth folding line -   252 a web piece -   254 a fifth folding line -   256 a covering piece -   258 a sixth folding line -   260 an opening -   300 a carton -   302 a bottom wall -   304 a package -   500 a blank -   510 a first top wall -   512 a second top wall -   514 a first upper inclined portion -   516 a second upper inclined portion -   518 a first side wall -   520 a second side wall -   522 a first bottom inclined portion -   524 a second bottom inclined portion -   526 a bottom wall -   530 a first panel folding line -   532 a second panel folding line -   534 a third panel folding line -   536 a fourth panel folding line -   538 a fifth panel folding line -   540 a sixth folding line -   542 a seventh panel folding line -   544 an eighth panel folding line -   550 a carrying opening -   552 a folding portion -   554 a first folding line -   556 a substantially “U” shaped cutting line -   560 a pair of break lines -   600 an article holding means -   602 an article receiving opening -   604 a recess supporting tab -   606 a tab folding line -   608 a second slit -   610 a connecting end portion of the recess supporting tab 604 -   612 an ear portion -   614 an ear portion folding line or slit -   630 a connecting tab -   632 a pair of fifth slits -   634 a second folding line -   636 a tab fitting opening -   638 a cutting line -   640 a sixth slit -   670 a second article holding means -   672 a second article receiving opening -   674 a holding tab -   676 an edge having an arc shape -   678 a seventh slit -   700 a carton -   702 a top wall -   704 a package -   W1 a maximum width of the recess supporting tab -   W2 a width in the base end portion of the recess supporting tab 

1. A blank comprising: a first wall; a second wall at least connected to said first wall via a first panel folding line; wherein said first panel has an article holding means for holding an article; wherein said article holding means comprises an article receiving opening for receiving a portion of said article and a recess supporting tab provided to protrude toward said article receiving opening; wherein a base end portion of said recess supporting tab is connected to said first wall via a tab folding line; and wherein a width (W2) of said base end portion of said recess supporting tab is equal to or less than a maximum width (W1) of said recess supporting tab.
 2. The blank according to claim 1, wherein a boundary between at least one side portion of said recess supporting tab and an edge portion of said article receiving opening is formed with a slit, and said slit extends from one end of said tab folding line to a free end of said recess supporting tab.
 3. The blank according to claim 1, wherein said width of said recess supporting tab is gradually reduced from a portion having said maximum width toward said base end portion.
 4. The blank according to claim 2, wherein said one side portion is abutted to said edge portion of said article receiving opening.
 5. The blank according to claim 2, wherein an end portion of said slit on a side adjacent to said one end of said tab folding line extends to a position dividing said tab folding line and said first panel folding line, and wherein said one side portion of said recess supporting tab forms a foldable ear potion with respect to a residual portion of said recess supporting tab by said slit.
 6. The blank according to claim 5, wherein said foldable ear potion is connected to said recess supporting tab via an ear potion folding line.
 7. The blank according to claim 5, wherein said end portion of said slit is curved toward said tab folding line.
 8. A carton for housing articles with a substantially cylinder shape having a recess portion on at least one end of said article, wherein said carton comprising: a first wall; a second wall at least connected to said first wall via a first panel folding line; wherein said first panel has an article holding means for holding said article; wherein said article holding means comprises an article receiving opening for receiving a portion of said article and a recess supporting tab provided to protrude toward said article receiving opening; wherein a base end portion of said recess supporting tab is connected to said first wall via a tab folding line; and wherein a width (W2) of said base end portion of said recess supporting tab is equal to or less than a maximum width (W1) of said recess supporting tab.
 9. The carton according to claim 8, wherein a boundary between at least one side portion of said recess supporting tab and an edge portion of said article receiving opening is formed with a slit, and said slit extends from one end of said tab folding line to a free end of said recess supporting tab.
 10. The carton according to claim 8, wherein said width of said recess supporting tab is gradually reduced from a portion having said maximum width toward said base end portion.
 11. The carton according to claim 9, wherein said one side portion is abutted to said edge portion of said article receiving opening.
 12. The carton according to claim 9, wherein an end portion of said slit on a side adjacent to said one end of said tab folding line extends to a position dividing said tab folding line and said first panel folding line, and wherein said one side portion of said recess supporting tab forms a foldable ear potion with respect to a residual portion of said recess supporting tab by said slit.
 13. The carton according to claim 12, wherein said foldable ear potion is connected to said recess supporting tab via an ear potion folding line.
 14. The carton according to claim 12, wherein said end portion of said slit is curved toward said tab folding line. 